Hello fellow crafters! Now that you’ve seen our beautiful launch of an entire new line of acrylic crafting bead supplies, let’s dive in and chat a bit more about the difference between silicone beads and acrylic beads!
Both materials are widely used in DIY projects, but they have different characteristics and properties that can make a big difference in your final products.
Firstly, let's talk about silicone beads. These beads are made from non-toxic, high-quality, food-grade silicone material, making them safe for use in jewelry, teething toys, and other baby products (always remember to safely assemble all children and baby items so that they meet appropriate safety requirements!).
Silicone beads are soft and squishy to the touch, which makes them perfect for creating sensory toys or chewable jewelry for babies and toddlers. They are also waterproof, heat-resistant, and easy to clean, which makes them a versatile material for all sorts of crafting. Additionally, silicone beads come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, allowing you to create unique and colorful designs for your DIY projects – have you had a chance to check out our Cara & Co Original line-up of in-house designed silicone beads here? You will love the variety and uniqueness of our very own custom beads!
On the other hand, our acrylic beads are made from a type of plastic material or resin, which makes them lightweight and easy to work with. Known as bubblegum beads - as delicious as they look, DO NOT eat them ;) - they also come in a mind blowing array of colors and shapes, making them perfect for adding a pop of color to any craft project. From shiny rounds to rhinestone gems, acrylic beads are ideal for children’s jewelry, accessories and general crafting! Because acrylic beads are durable and affordable, they are a popular choice for beginners and experienced crafters alike.
However, note that acrylic beads are not as soft or squishy as silicone beads, which can make them less suitable for certain types of crafts. Specifically, when it comes to safety and crafting, it is important to remember that all loose beads on their own are a safety hazard to small children.
When assembled carefully and in accordance with safety standards, silicone beaded items can be safe for a child to chew because of their spongy texture and material properties. However, when crafting with acrylic, it is important to note that acrylic beads are NOT suitable for chewing or teething due to the hardness of the product and the possibility of small pieces being dislodged from the beads, such as rhinestones.
Acrylic beads come in all sorts of forms and styles. Here are some examples of the different types of acrylic beads you can use in your DIY projects:
1. Round Beads: These are the most common type of acrylic bead and come in a wide variety of sizes and colors (generally the most popular sizes being 16mm and 20mm). Acrylic round beads come in beautiful shimmery designs, jewelled exteriors, and have glitter galore!
2. Alphabet Beads: These are small acrylic beads with letters or numbers printed on them. They are great for creating personalized jewelry or for adding names or messages to keychains, zipper pulls, or other crafts (stay tuned ;)!
3. Flower Beads: These acrylic beads come in the shape of flowers and are perfect for creating floral-themed jewelry or for adding a touch of natural beauty to your crafts.
4. Cube Beads: These are small acrylic beads in the shape of cubes. They are perfect for creating geometric patterns in your crafts or for adding a modern touch to your jewelry. Cubes with stripe patterns are a double pop of style!
Acrylic beads are used in a variety of DIY crafts, and some projects mix and match perfectly with silicone beads too! Some of the most popular crafting projects that acrylic beads are used for are jewelry variations like the ideas listed below:
1. Jewelry: Acrylic beads are perfect for creating necklaces, bracelets, wristlets, earrings and even rings or costume jewelry. Children especially love the glitter and unique designs of these beads, making them appealing for young crafters, too!
2. Keychains, Zipper Pulls and Bag Charms: Acrylic beads are also great for creating personalized keychains. You can use alphabet beads to spell out names or messages, or use a combination of different beads to create unique designs. Don’t hesitate to mix and match your favorite silicone and acrylic beads on your key chains and zipper pulls! This will give your items a soft and squishy feel, while still looking stylish and fun with pops of acrylic.
3. Hair Accessories: Acrylic beads can also be used to create fun and colorful hair accessories, such as hair ties, headbands, or hair clips. You can use a combination of different beads to create unique designs that match your style. Don’t be nervous to use the glue-gun in some of your crafts if you need to secure the beads to your projects – acrylic beads handle glue very well ! (Note that silicone beads do NOT adhere to glue, so if you are crafting a project that requires gluing, you probably will not want to mix and match with silicone).
Can you see how the possibilities are literally endless?! Acrylic beads are a versatile material that can be used for a variety of crafts, and we know they will complement our huge range of silicone beads perfectly!
So, go ahead and let your creativity run wild with our amazing new line of bubblegum beads! Happy Crafting!
xo
the girls
*The products, materials, and supplies sold by Cara & Co. Silicone Craft Supply are intended for use by adults and should never be left unattended with a child.
***Small objects and beads can present choking hazards to young children. Never leave a child unattended with beads or other products. Always dispose of any damaged product. No product is completely indestructible, and fully formed teeth could potentially damage product if chewed aggressively, so responsible attentiveness is needed for any user or purchaser. Customers should always inspect and monitor their products, discontinuing use at the first sight of damage.
****Once our products have been sold and shipped to our customers, Cara & Co Silicone Craft Supply Inc., waives all responsibility and liability from the use of our products. Customers are responsible that their final products made from our supplies meet the appropriate safety requirements for their region. Our buyers understand that by purchasing our products or using suggestions from the above tutorial, the buyer assumes any and all responsibility and liability for the use of the products.
*****Cords, clasps and pacifier clips are not intended to be chewed on and may present choking hazards.